Seventy years ago today, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were married with all the usual royal pomp and ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Thousands of well-wishers lined the streets of London for the much-anticipated occasion, coming as it did only two years after the end of six dark years of war.

An estimated 200 million radio listeners around the world tuned in for live commentary of the event. And some 2,000 invited guests were in the abbey for the ceremony, including the king and queen and other members of the British royal family along with royalty from across Europe.

Also among those who were lucky enough to witness the wedding first hand was David Cox, who was a Westminster Abbey chorister. Needless to say, 70 years on, he still has a vivid recollection of the day and is understandably proud of his association with it.

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David, who lives in Quarndon, had joined the prestigious choir in 1946 at the age of 12 after he was recommended for the position by his singing teacher. At the time, the Westminster Abbey Choir School was not in operation because its premises were still in the hands of the military after the war.

David Cox in his Westminster Abbey chorister robes

So, David had to travel into Westminster for choir practice, church services and other events from his home in Sidcup, Kent. The choir school reopened in 1947 and David attended the school until the age of 15 when his voice broke. At the time of the wedding, he recalls there were around a dozen boys in the choir.

In advance of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s 70th wedding anniversary, David wrote to the royal couple last month to share his own memories of attending the marriage service and was delighted to receive a response from Balmoral Castle from the Queen’s lady-in-waiting, Jennifer Gordon Lennox which read: “The Queen wishes me to write and thank you for your letter and its enclosures. Her majesty was so pleased to hear from you and thought it was kind of you to send the account of your personal recollections of 20th November 1947 when, as a chorister of Westminster Abbey, you sang at the wedding of the Princess Elizabeth to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten RN.

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“Throughout their long marriage the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have been very grateful for the support and encouragement they have received, as a couple, ever since that special day and your thoughtfulness in sending your account is warmly appreciated. I am to thank you once again for writing as you did.”

He has since received another letter from Buckingham Palace thanking him for his account of the wedding service and indicating that the Queen had read his correspondence. Here, he shares his memories of the historic day...

This picture of Westminster Abbey choir appeared in Picture Post in the run-up to the Royal wedding in 1947. David is the tallest boy, back right, among choristers with choirmaster Dr William McKie (Image: Picture Post)

“The day started as any other day at a boarding school, with early rising in the dormitory, wash, dress, make the beds and then off to breakfast. This was no ordinary school; this was Westminster Abbey Choir School and today was like no other.

“Being a chorister at Westminster Abbey, my mind was focused on the forthcoming marriage of Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten, an occasion that had taken all the choir’s efforts over the past few weeks.

“To perfect the musical score to a degree of excellence, rigorously imposed by our choirmaster Dr William McKie, a gentleman of Australian descent, ex-RAF officer and one who makes our music like a firework display, it had, under his direction, bangs of excitement and plenty of colours. Finishing breakfast, a general inspection of cleanliness, polished shoes etc and a formal inspection of our cassock, surplice, ruff and mortarboard in case any running repairs were required.

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“After which we departed across Dean’s Yard, through the cloisters to our practice room where a few singing exercises, arpeggio scales were performed to finely tune the voices of the most celebrated choir of the day. Weeks before the wedding, the choir’s every day activities had been the subject of media attention with reporters and photographers taking every opportunity to get that extra picture or report.

David Cox today

“The official magazine that had access to the choir was Picture Post, who spent some time with the choir. They took genuine interest; the music was recorded by HMV and produced on 78rpm records, of which I have a copy. Back to the practice room, having been given our final instructions and being joined by the choir from the chapel Royal Windsor, who were eyed by us with a degree of suspicion as they had their uniform of scarlet and gold which seemed a little over-dressed.

“Finally, and in good time, the choir walked through the cloisters into the abbey, not to the choir stalls but up the very narrow stairs to the organ loft, which spans the nave at the half-way point. There, seated at the organ was Dr Peasgood our assistant organist, a likeable and friendly man who was much admired by us boys.

“He entertained the congregation with a selection of music. Our position in the organ loft gave a marvellous bird’s eye view of the marriage ceremony, which began with the procession hymn ‘Praise, my Soul, the King of Heaven’. Sounding, as it did, with a full complement of choir, the organ which appeared to have all the stops out and the congregation that knew the tune, it was a ‘hair standing on the back of the neck’ experience.

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“The hymn ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’, sung to the tune of Crimond, was especially requested by Princess Elizabeth and, for some reason, Dr Mekie had to present himself at the palace to hear both the Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret give their rendition of the tune and descant.

“This was duly noted, with a handwritten score and, on his return, myself with 11 other boys were chosen to sing the descant on the last verse ‘Goodness and Mercy’. The final piece of music, The Wedding March, by Mendelssohn, played by Dr Peasgood ended the proceedings. It was then back to the choir school for a special lunch an then the rest of the day we had to ourselves.

“This is my memory of the royal wedding day. It was a privilege to have been at Westminster Abbey during this period. Together with other memories of the Royal Maundy services, the unveiling and dedication of the Battle of Britain chapel, Field Marshal Montgomery of Alamein and many more.”